Running-Intensity Fluctuations in Elite Rugby Sevens Performance

Furlan, Nicola; Waldron, Mark; Shorter, Kathleen; Gabbett, Timothy J; Mitchell, John; Fitzgerald, Edward; Osborne, Mark A; Gray, Adrian

doi:10.1123/ijspp.2014-0315

Author(s)

Furlan, Nicola

Waldron, Mark

Shorter, Kathleen

Gabbett, Timothy J

Mitchell, John

Fitzgerald, Edward

Osborne, Mark A

Gray, Adrian

Publication Date

2015

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate temporal variation in running intensity across and within halves and evaluate the agreement between match-analysis indices used to identify fluctuations in running intensity in rugby sevens. Methods: Data from a 15-Hz global positioning system (GPS) were collected from 12 elite rugby sevens players during the IRB World Sevens Series (N = 21 full games). Kinematic (eg, relative distance [RD]) and energetic (eg, metabolic power [MP]) match-analysis indices were determined from velocity-time curves and used to investigate between-halves variations. Mean MP and RD were used to identify peak 2-minute periods of play. Adjacent 2-minute periods (prepeak and postpeak) were compared with peak periods to identify changes in intensity. MP and RD were expressed relative to maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) and speed at VO₂max, respectively, and compared in their ability to describe the intensity of peak periods and their temporal occurrence. Results: Small to moderate reductions were present for kinematic (RD; 8.9%) and energetic (MP; 6%) indices between halves. Peak periods (RD = 130 m/min, MP = 13 W/kg) were higher (P < .001) than the match average (RD = 94 m/min, MP = 9.5 W/kg) and the prepeak and postpeak periods (P < .001). RD underestimated the intensity of peak periods compared with MP (bias 16%, limits of agreement [LoA] ± 6%). Peak periods identified by RD and MP were temporally dissociated (bias 21 s, LoA ± 212 s). Conclusions: The findings suggest that running intensity varies between and within halves; however, the index used will influence both the magnitude and the temporal identification of peak periods.

Citation

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 10(6), p. 802-807

ISSN

1555-0273

1555-0265

Link

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/17935

Language

en

Publisher

Human Kinetics, Inc

Title

Running-Intensity Fluctuations in Elite Rugby Sevens Performance

Type of document

Journal Article

Entity Type

Publication

Author(s)	Furlan, Nicola Waldron, Mark Shorter, Kathleen Gabbett, Timothy J Mitchell, John Fitzgerald, Edward Osborne, Mark A Gray, Adrian
Publication Date	2015
Abstract	Purpose: To investigate temporal variation in running intensity across and within halves and evaluate the agreement between match-analysis indices used to identify fluctuations in running intensity in rugby sevens. Methods: Data from a 15-Hz global positioning system (GPS) were collected from 12 elite rugby sevens players during the IRB World Sevens Series (N = 21 full games). Kinematic (eg, relative distance [RD]) and energetic (eg, metabolic power [MP]) match-analysis indices were determined from velocity-time curves and used to investigate between-halves variations. Mean MP and RD were used to identify peak 2-minute periods of play. Adjacent 2-minute periods (prepeak and postpeak) were compared with peak periods to identify changes in intensity. MP and RD were expressed relative to maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) and speed at VO₂max, respectively, and compared in their ability to describe the intensity of peak periods and their temporal occurrence. Results: Small to moderate reductions were present for kinematic (RD; 8.9%) and energetic (MP; 6%) indices between halves. Peak periods (RD = 130 m/min, MP = 13 W/kg) were higher (P < .001) than the match average (RD = 94 m/min, MP = 9.5 W/kg) and the prepeak and postpeak periods (P < .001). RD underestimated the intensity of peak periods compared with MP (bias 16%, limits of agreement [LoA] ± 6%). Peak periods identified by RD and MP were temporally dissociated (bias 21 s, LoA ± 212 s). Conclusions: The findings suggest that running intensity varies between and within halves; however, the index used will influence both the magnitude and the temporal identification of peak periods.
Citation	International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 10(6), p. 802-807
ISSN	1555-0273 1555-0265
Link	https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/17935
Language	en
Publisher	Human Kinetics, Inc
Title	Running-Intensity Fluctuations in Elite Rugby Sevens Performance
Type of document	Journal Article
Entity Type	Publication

Running-Intensity Fluctuations in Elite Rugby Sevens Performance

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